Aviation is often cited as one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize, even though it accounts for a relatively small share of global emissions. While the sector shrank during Covid-19 lockdowns, it has been growing again since. The International Energy Agency expects aviation demand to grow rapidly through 2030.
“To truly decarbonize aviation, we need to think beyond just putting sustainable fuel into aircraft. The entire ecosystem needs to be transformed,” explains Erik Tutzauer, Innovation Manager at Fortum. “Our vision is to integrate renewable energy solutions directly into airport operations. We’re reimagining airports as hubs that generate and store low-carbon energy to power aircraft, support ground operations and even provide electricity for the local community,” he says.
Fortum is now exploring different concepts for creating these energy systems in a modular fashion, so that airports can scale with demand. The Fortum concepts aim to ensure airports can adapt without requiring massive upfront investments that may not see immediate returns.
Starting small, thinking big
Fortum's step-by-step approach starts with small initiatives, such as installing a solar park and battery storage to serve basic electricity needs. As the demand for fossil-free energy grows, the system can expand with more complex energy infrastructure, including hydrogen electrolyzers and storage systems.
“Our approach allows airports to gradually adapt their infrastructure as new sustainable aviation technologies become viable. In addition to readying airports for the future arrival of electric and hydrogen-powered planes, we’re also looking at how they can develop low-carbon energy systems that contribute to the grid,” explains Torbjörn Wilén, Senior Manager and Program Director at Fortum P2X development.
When it comes to sustainably powering aircraft, the fuel technology employed will be determined by the length of the flight. Short-haul routes can be served by electric planes. Hydrogen-powered aircraft could extend that range and for intercontinental flights, liquid fuels will remain essential for the foreseeable future.
The key role of hydrogen
Among these liquid fuels are clean electrofuels, which are produced by using renewable electricity to generate hydrogen and then combining it with captured carbon dioxide. Electrofuels can be used in existing combustion engines as a way to significantly reduce CO2 emissions. They represent a promising step for aviation, where full electrification or hydrogen adoption may take longer to achieve.
“To produce hydrogen, a significant amount of electricity is required. This is why the most expensive component in an electrofuel is the electricity, which makes up about 50% of the cost. For electrofuels to be commercially viable, scaling up hydrogen production is essential. Many companies are now actively exploring these technologies, despite the complexities involved,” says Wilén.
Fortum has partnered with ZeroAvia to explore the development of hydrogen production and refueling infrastructure at airports. The partners aim to establish on-the-ground hydrogen solutions that reduce emissions from flights and the wider airport ecosystem.
Fortum is also building a hydrogen production pilot plant in Finland with capacity for two megawatts of green hydrogen. The EUR 17 million project is primarily intended for technical piloting, but it also allows to further explore the potential of hydrogen for various industrial use, including in aviation. Construction began in summer 2024 and commissioning is planned for late 2025. According to Fortum’s strategy, the company will stepwise explore hydrogen through small-scale projects in the Nordics.
Nordic airports get on board
With 41,700 official airports globally – 2,000 of which are in Europe alone – the potential impact of these initiatives is significant.
Fortum has already engaged with airports across the Nordics, assessing the appetite for change and discussing the journey towards decarbonization. By focusing first on its home region, the company is creating a model that can be applied and scaled more widely.
“Our localized approach to airport energy production enhances energy resilience too,” explains Tutzauer. “By placing energy solutions closer to customers, we can ensure a steady supply – even during grid disruptions – so we can continue to power critical facilities like hospitals or defense installations. Airports can also leverage their energy production and storage for adjacent communities.”
“Initiatives of this kind require contributions from a massive ecosystem of specialists in different fields. We welcome constructive discussions with a view towards achieving this vision of carbon neutrality for the aviation industry,” says Gustav Eilertsen, Vice President, Innovation & Venturing at Fortum.
